Improvement in processes in the manufacture of fire-brick



UNITED STATES I PATENT 'QFFICE.

J. PAR-K ALEXANDER, OF AKRON, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT lN PROCESSES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FIRE-BRICK.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 165,049, dated June 29,1875; application filed April 30, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. PARK ALEXANDER, of Akron, in the county of Summitand State of Ohio, have invented certain new and'useful Improvements inProcess for the Manufacture of Eire-Brick; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains tomake and use it, reference being bad to the acconipanyin g drawings,which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to a new and improved process for the manufactureof firebriek, and consists as follows:

White pebbles, found in conglomerate rock, are first thoroughly andcompletely separated from sand, and other foreign substances mixedtherewith, without breaking or pnlverizing the pebble. They are thenground or pulverized, and the powder thus obtained thoroughly mixed or-kneaded with from five to forty per cent. of fire-clay, molded, andsubjected to very heavy pressurein steel molds, thoroughly dried, andfinally burned in fire-brick kilns in an intense degree of heat. Thepebbles, sand, &O., mixed together in conglomerate rock, gravel or sandybeds, and other places, but principally in conglomerate rock-as I do notthink the pebble is found in as pure a state elsewhere-are first placedin suitable machinery constructed for the purpose, where they aresubjected to thorough sit'tin g, beating, agitation, &o., withoutbreaking or injuring them, until all sand and foreign substances areremoved, leaving the pure white pebbles. These are then gone over again,if necessary, and then placed in suitable grinding or pulverizingmachines, where they are granulated or reduced to a tine or impalpablepowder. From five to forty per cent. of fire-clay, according to thequality of the brick required, is next thoroughly mixed or kneaded withthe pulverized pebble. The material thus obtained is then molded andsubjected to very heavy pressure in steel molds, then thorough 1y dried,and finally burnt in fire-brick kilns in the highest degree of heatobtainable.

I have found that fire-brick constructed or made from this material andprocess are far superior, less liable to be affected or crack by changesof heat and cold, are better and more durable than brick made fromfire-clay, sand, 850., in the usual way, and a brick far surpassing intexture, aptitude for receiving perfectness of face, and indestructibledurability, anything in the way of stone or brick that is now known tothe public; and by this process and material I obtain a brick whollyfree from shrinkage under the most intense degree of heat.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- l. The process of the manufacture of tirebrick, consisting in thoroughly separating white pebble from sand andother substances in conglomerate rock, pnlverizing the same,thoroughly'mixing or kneading with from five to forty per cent. offire-clay, molded, and subjected to heavy pressure in steel molds, thendrying and burning in kilns in a very high degree of heat, as and forthe purposes set forth.

2. The compound herein described for the manufacture of'fire-brick,consisting of pure pulverized white pebble and fire-clay, preparedandcompouirded in the proportions substantially as and for the purposedescribed. 7

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto set my handthis 28th day of April, 1875.

- J. PARK ALEXANDER. Witnesses:

RICHARD P. MARVIN, Jr., J. H. PENDLETON.

